By removing obsolete dams we not only restore healthier, free-flowing rivers, we revitalize fish and wildlife, create new fishing and paddling opportunities, improve public safety and reconnect people with their rivers.

We are grateful for the support of Patagonia in spreading the word about dam removal and river restoration through its Our Common Waters campaign. Check out Yvon Chouinard’s Dammed if We Don’t essay, and explore our interactive map that provides a snapshot of dam removal successes, dams that should be removed, and proposals for new dams.

American Rivers and our partners have made tremendous strides restoring rivers through dam removal. In 2011 we hit the significant milestone of 1000 dams removed over the past century. We also witnessed the biggest dam removals in history on the Pacific Northwest’s Elwha and White Salmon rivers.

But we’re not stopping there. Help us keep the river restoration progress going.